****Event full - waiting list open*** No need to email us for a code to be on the waiting list.

This event is open to all runners but if you are a keyworker (as defined by the UK government) you can run for free! All you need to do is click here and email us at racedirector@bigbearevents.net and we'll send you a free entry code. It would be ideal if it was with a picture of you "keyworking" and a little bit of info about what you've been up to and what running you do so we can share the info on our social media and all say a big thank you.

This is the best way we can think to say thank you to the hard work people are putting in during these troubling times. We know it's a national effort (stay home, save lives!) and once we're out the otherside of this we'll all want to get out and run, so hopefully this will help a little! If you aren't a key worker you can of course enter as normal, early bird pricing will continue until the date for the event is set and entry will rise by £5 if there are any left!

**The date of this event is TBC as we will look to arrange it for 3 months after the lockdown ends. This will hopefully mean key workers lives are beggining to resemble normality by this point and allows people to put some traning in too if they wish! If you enter the event and cannot make the date once it is fixed we will happily transfer you to another event. The event will be mid-week at 9am at Salcey Forest though.**

How far is the race?

You decide! The 3.3-mile loop at Salcey Forest means your race can be 5k or over 60k! You decide how many laps you're going to do on the day within the 6-hour time limit. If you're looking to cover a marathon distance you'll need to complete 8 laps and a half marathon will be 4 laps. This is a flat course with minimal elevation changes.

Entry information

No entries on the day
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There is an entry limit. Once the event gets down to the last places we'll endevour to make people aware through social media and emails. Once the event is full you can join the waiting list via the entry portal on this site.

You do have to pay to park (£4.00 for 2 hours and £6 for the day at the time of writing). This money goes to the forest, it is a great space that needs money and this is their main revenue stream. That said, be a hero and car share, save money and the world!

Course description

The route is along well maintained pathways. There isn't a meter of asphalt and are mainly crushed stone. Obviosuly being in the middle of a forest the narrower ones are covered in tree ditritus and can become a bit muddy and grimy, especially when wet. On a dry day road shoes will be perfectly acceptable, on a wet day trail shoes may be a better bet as some parts can become a bit slippy. We always put pictures on social media the day before the event however to help you decide. Check out photos from our previous events here

Is this the first running of this event?

Not really! We've had multiple 6 hour events at Salcey Forest over the last couple of years . If you want to read what our runners say read their reviews of previous Salcey Forest Challenges here at Racecheck.

Is this event cupless?

Yes. Please read our page on cupless events if you haven't experienced it before. It's obviously good for the environment to reduce plastic use and general waste. Yes, you wont break a world record having to stop to fill a bottle of water or carry a hydration pack but over a marathon distance it would probably add less than a minute to your time if you are efficient. Of course many people like the excuse the have a jaffa cake! We will have water, isotonic drinks, tea and coffee and real Coca Cola for you, but to be clear - we wont supply disposable cups for drinks. If you'd like to purchase a foldable cup we have them for sale here and will have them for sale on race day too.

Where is it?

Salcey Forest is a Forestry Commission site with a cafe and toilets. Use the post code NN7 2HX for Sat Navs. It is 18 minutes from Northampton and 9 minutes from Junction 15 of the M1. The closest train station is Northampton.

Permissions

Permission for this event has been obtained from the Forestry England.

TRA licence number

TBC

Frequently asked questions

Click here for our frequently asked questions.

Contact

If your question hasn't been answered or if you are still unsure of anything please contact us at racedirector@bigbearevents.net where we'll do our best to help. You can also contact us via facebook, instagram and twitter.